England pile misery on India

Ian Bell stars with 167 as England take control of the third Test against India on day two, declaring on 569-7.

28 Jul 2014 18:22 GMT

Bell scored his first hundred in 26 innings [GALLO/GETTY]

Ian Bell returned to form in spectacular fashion with a superb 167 and debutant Jos Buttler also shone to help England strengthen their dominant position over India on the second day of the third Test.

Bell recovered from a tentative start to exhibit trademark elegance, bringing up his first hundred in 26 innings by thumping Ravindra Jadeja down the ground for six before hitting the spinner for two more boundaries and another maximum in the same over.

England, 1-0 down in the five-match series, declared on 569 for seven in their first innings after a quickfire 85 full of expansive strokes by new Test wicketkeeper Buttler.

Struggling India then closed on 25-1 in their first innings, James Anderson snaffling Shikhar Dhawan (6) yet again with Alastair Cook taking the catch.

Previously beleaguered England, who have not won in 10 Tests, will look to ram home their advantage on day three and try to avoid having to bat again if they can enforce a follow on.

Sunday centurion Gary Ballance, who shared a stand of 142 with Bell, was the victim of a poor decision just before lunch when he was given out caught behind for 156, despite no hint of an edge on replays.

Clever bowling tactics

After the interval India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni opted to utilise his seamers in one over spells in an attempt to break England's concentration.

It paid dividends early on as Joe Root (3) got a regulation edge to Dhoni after being tempted into a prod outside off stump by Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

Clearly buoyed by taking his first wicket, Kumar added the scalp of Moeen Ali (12) by teasing the batsman into taking on the short ball which he bottom edged to Ajinkya Rahane at second slip.

Buttler, replacing the injured and out-of-form Matt Prior, profited and demonstrated his prowess with an exhilarating stand of 106 with Bell.

Bell's swashbuckling innings, which included 19 fours and three sixes, came to an end when he attempted to hit Kumar over mid-off but instead picked out Pankaj Singh.

He survived a simple missed stumping by Dhoni and eventually played on to a Jadeja delivery as he sensed a debut ton to force a declaration from Cook.